Mike and Bernie Wilding celebrated in style with family and friends and from the event collected £520 in donations from the 200 plus people who attended which has been handed over to the My WiSH Charity, which supports the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds.

The money has been given to the Macmillan Unit at the hospital after the couple decided to “do something different” to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

The pair, who live in Ely Court, Mildenhall, held the party at the Social Club, and 67-year-old Bernie and her 73-year-old husband, a part time ambulance driver, said they wanted to “do something different”.

“We did not want any presents and felt in our hearts that we wanted to give money to the hospital - we just wanted to do something different,” said Bernie.

The couple who have three daughters, Tracey, Wendy and Christina, invited those close to them to the party.

“It was a great occasion and we were really pleased with the amount that we raised,” said Bernie.

And she said her husband is still working as an ambulance driver.

“Although Mike is 73 he still loves doing the job and works three days a week. I just cannot get him to retire I’m afraid. He just loves helping people,” she said.

Meanwhile, a fashion show held at the Bury St Edmunds shop of Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing has raised a total of £450 for the charity.

The event, which was attended by up to 40 people, featured a variety of clothes made at the store’s factory in Brandon which were modelled at the shop in St John’s Street, with shoes supplied by Chica Shoes, in Hatter Street.

The models came from Bannatyne’s Spa, in Horringer Road, and the West Suffolk Hospital, and shop owner Paul Brown said the event was a big success.

“We had a full collection of everything that we could think of and the event went really well considering it was the first time we had held a fashion show at the shop,” he said.

White’s Catering supplied drinks and canapes while goodie bags were provided by Coastline Graphics and the catalogues were printed by the Bury Flyer.

“Much of it was last minute preparation,” said Mr Brown. “But it came off really well and it was great that we were able to support a local charity.”